This document discusses the properties of sound and music. It explains that sound is created through vibration, and defines the main properties that characterize musical sounds: pitch, interval, range, dynamics, and tone color. It emphasizes that these properties allow for variety and contrast in music. The document also provides examples of classical and jazz pieces to listen to that demonstrate these concepts, with outlines pointing out notable musical elements to focus on during the listening.

1. 2011 © McGraw-Hill Higher EducationEdited by Carolyn PonceMusic: An Appreciation7th brief Editionby Roger Kamien

2. Part 1, Chapter 1SoundOur world is filled with soundsSounds can be pleasant or unpleasantHumans are able to focus on specific sounds and ignore sounds that do not interest usSoundBegins as result of a vibrations transmitted through a medium – airImpulses sent to brain for processingMusic: organization of sounds in time

3. Four main properties of musical sounds

4. Pitch: Highness or Lowness of A SoundDetermined by frequency of vibrationFast vibration=high pitch; slow vibration=low pitchGenerally, smaller vibrating objects=higher pitchesIn music, definite pitch is a toneTones have specific frequenciese.g., 440 cycles (vibrations) per second = AIrregular vibrations create sounds of indefinite pitch (“thunk”)Interval: distance between 2 tonesNon-western music uses different intervals than Western musicRange: distance between voice or instrument’s highest & lowest possible tones

5. Dynamics: Loudness or softness of a SoundRelated to amplitude of vibration producing soundChanges in dynamics may be sudden or gradualAccent: tone played louder than tones near itItalian terms and symbols used to indicate dynamic level and changes in dynamics

6. Tone Color: QualityOf a SoundAlso known as Timbre–Quality that distinguishes tonesCan be bright, dark, mellow, etc.Changes in tone color create variety and contrastTone colors add a sense of continuitySpecific melodies with specific tone colorsUnlimited variety of tone colorsComposers frequently blend sounds of instruments to create new tone colorsModern electronic techniques create new tone colors

7. Listening Outlines, Vocal Music Guides, and the Properties of SoundHelps focus attention on musical events as they occurPreceded by description of the music’s main featuresListening Outline - points out notable musical soundsVocal Music Guide – helps the listener follow the thought, story, or dramaSuggestion: while listening to one passage, look ahead to what is next.

8. ListeningThe Firebird, Scene 2 (1910)by Igor StravinskyListening Outline: p. 7Note: Tone colors through instrumentation Dynamic contrasts

9. ListeningC-Jam Blues (1942) by Duke Ellington and His Famous OrchestraListening Outline: p. 8Note: Tone colorsRepeated note melodyImprovised solosMuted brass instruments